w w w w w w w w w w w w vp 0 w lqw- w mw 4C Thursday, October 25, 2007 The Michigan Daily - michigandailycom Thursday, October 25, 2007 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com "The Coglianos and Johnsons of the world - you try to predict that stuff. They're leaving for pro hockey, and you need to deal with that." Associate head coach Mel Pearson and assistantcoachBillyPowers, Michigan's lead recruiters and team architects, have traditionally brought in large groups of freshmen every four years. Two seasons ago, Michigan welcomed 11 fresh faces, including phenoms Jack Johnson and Andrew Cogliano. Now, just six remain, a shift that prompted the Wolverines to draw in another big class much sooner than anticipated. "A big class every second year - that proba- bly won't happen again," Powers said. "We got to the point where, every four years, we were h:a inga big class. It's not a plan, but it's today's d an d ige in college hockey. It's predicting si ho s styinyamd I'-, g itng ii1a did its bstn to stay proacti c after the i"' it thie early departures of Cgliaau and Johson. Johnson lift rtht cL.Is IsgAne KingsafterMichiginhums'ed nfiiout laseasno's NC AATournaentandogiianojumpedship last sumnner for the Ednilton Oilers. "The Coglianos and Johnsons of the worild - you try to predict that stuff," Powers said. "They re leaving for pro hockey, and you need to deal with chat. You need to deal sith the NHL Draft, and you need to deal with those guys leaving. And that's OK." But the Wolverines couldn't anticipate the loss of the four players who didn't bolt for pro- fessional hockey. Forwards Tyler Swystun, Zac MacVoy and JasonBailey prematurely left Michigan to play in junior hockey leagues. Swystun and MacVoy stopped playingbefore their sophomore years, and Bailey left the team during his sophomore season. And this summer, goalie Steve Jakiel's last-minute transfer to Division. III Curry College forced Pear- son and Powers to find someone who could play behind Michigan junior Billy 'auer and incoming freshman Bryan Hogan. Jakiel's replacement was freshman Shawn Hunwick, the final mem- ber in this year's recruit- ing class. Hunick, chose brother Matt captained last years team, had alreads oesmmusirtit_ ito play fur a nes Diviusin ill Ianvia png as Adria Cii lee. hi t sehes Jdv -i I ft. Hhss isci calleid and ash d fur lie.- msissin tis speak with Michigan coaches. And smith that, the freshmanclass was com- plete. Hunwick may have fallen into Michigan's lap, but this year's class started three summers ago in the Wolverines' backyard. ' By MICHAEL EISENSTEIN, COURTNEY RATKOWIAK AND ANDY REID 1 Daily Staff Writers This wasn't how it was supposed to happen. Over the past two seasons, the Michigan hockey team's roster eroded in front of the coach- ing staff's eyes. The now-junior class was meant to be the foundation for the program's return to glory. But the class of 2009 has all but disintegrated. Friday, 12 freshmen will don the maize and blue sweaters for their first regular-season game at Yost Ice Arena. There are just two seniors,- one upperclassman defense- man and myriad questions about how good Michigan ACIORETTY coach Red Berenson's new largest freshman class can be. How did' the Wolverines find themselves in the midst of a rebuilding year two years ahead of schedule? Fellow Michigan natives Matt Rust and Aaron Palushaj were also among the first recruits in the class. "The way our program's been over the last 10 or 15 years, we're in a good spot - that (for) a lot of Michigan kids, their first choice is Michigan," Powers said. "Most of the kids don't leave the rink without making a com- mitment, whereas kids from New York, like (Kevin) Quick and, of course, (Carl) Hagelin from Sweden, you have to recruit them. But Michigan kids, you're not as much recruiting as much as they're just dying for you to make the phone call." To attract potential players who aren't set on Michigan, the Wolverines sell their playing style and Berenson's reputation. "We play a style that mostlkids can get excit- ed about," Powers said. "We take pride inbeing one of the cop offensive teams every year." If Michigan's style doesn't sway potential recruits, Berenson's legacycercainly helps. But it's not the players who are initially giddy over Berenson's reputation - it's the parents. When looking at colleges with their sons, some parents are star- struck by Berenson's 600- plus wins, two National Championships and nine NCAA Frozen Four appearances. And being a premiere player on two Stan- ley Cup champion- ship teams during his 17-year NHL career doesn't hurt his repu- tation, either. I think the kids get excit- ed about what they're hearing, but they've never watched him play or coach," Powers said. "I always get a kick out of watching the parents around Red - they want to ask him questions about when he played, but I guess they don't always feel comfortable doing that." Yost Ice Arena has become known as one of the toughest places in the country to jplay hockey, and it's become a powerful recruitment tool. In recent years, Powers said the atmosphere at Yost has taken on "a life of its own." "It's absolutely amazing," Llewellyn said. "I came to one game before I committed here. (Michigan) played Michigan State and we beat them, and the place was just rocking." Though the freshman class was brought in to replace players who left, the large group nill have serious scholarship implications for the future. If the majority of the freshmen stay for four years, the Wolverines will have fewer schol- arships than planned to give during the next few years. With just two seniors graduating, Michiganhas much less room to sign potential talent. Pearson said the Wolverines already have a few prospects in mind but agreed next year's class will be much smaller than average. The 12 newcomershavegottenoffto astrong start. They've added a physical, gritty style of play to the traditionally offensive-minded team. In the first four games, three freshmen have already tallied three or more points. "If this group works out, it really sets the tone," Powers said. "If you ever keep them all for four years - who knows if that could ever happen - but if you do a good job with the big group, chances are that you'll be very competi- tive every year that they're here." Losing as manytalented players as Michigan did could have set Wolverine title hopes back a few years. But if defeating then-No. 2 Boston College inthe season opener is any indication, the Wolverines won't miss a beat. PHOTOS: RODRIGO GA SIGN: KRASSIMIR lANK